10 Interesting Fun Facts About Vietnam
Nowadays, the travelers ‘s interests are increasing in visiting Vietnam. Vietnam still has a lot to offer tourists. This great nation is waiting for you for a journey with various things. They are unspoilt islands, gorgeous beaches, delectable food, fascinating culture, and amazing history. Here are 10 fun facts about Vietnam you would regret if ignore!
Fact 1: Vietnam is the largest exporter of cashew nuts and black pepper in the world
One of the popular fun facts about Vietnam is that it’s the world’s leading producer and exporter of cashew nuts in 2020. They ship out the equivalent of 450,000 tons of cashew kernels worth approximately 3.2 billion USD. Even though they have harvested for many years in Asia, Vietnam did not begin to produce pepper on a large scale until the 1980s. Vietnam produces more than one-third of the world’s black pepper. And the sector is now worth billions of euros annually.
Fact 2: The country is home to the world’s largest cave
Son Doong is nearly 5 kilometers long. People discovered it in 1990 by a jungle dweller from Phong Nha. According to the volume, it is the biggest cave in Vietnam and the biggest cave in the world. Son Doong stands for: Son means mountain, and Doong is the valley where the Thuong river comes from. Vietnamese recognized it as the largest natural cave by the Guinness World Records organization in 2013.
Fact 3: Vietnam is famous for its street food culture
People are keen on Vietnamese food for its vivid flavors, fresh ingredients, attractive colors and particular culinary traditions. The dishes “pho”, “banh mi”, and “bun cha” are among the more well-liked ones. Pho is at the top of the list, without which no discussion of Vietnamese cuisine would be complete. Bun cha is a superb example of how Vietnamese cooking’s mastery of grilling results in a delectably pleasant dining experience. And people usually enjoy street food, which is one of the most interesting fun facts about Vietnam you need to know.
Fact 4: Vietnamese is a tonal language, meaning that a change in tone can completely change the meaning of a word
Besides 3 fun facts about Vietnam, one more unique thing is that six tones, or distinct pitches are the way the Vietnamese communicate. A basic syllable can have entirely diverse and unconnected meanings depending on the pitch at which the pronunciation of the six tones. There are glottal stops, neutral, falling, and rising tones, as well as some that combine the two. The Vietnamese writes with several diacritical symbols. Also, that is additional to the various vowels to represent the six tones needed for pronunciation.
Fact 5: Vietnam has a rich history and culture, with influences from Chinese, French, and Khmer civilizations
One of the oldest cultures in the world, Vietnamese culture has endured transformations for about 4,000 years. Scholarly sources claim that the old Nam Viet kingdom of the Giao Chi people, is where the culture of Vietnam first emerged. Vietnamese culture is ancestor reverence and worship, respect for social and familial values. The lotus flower serves as the country’s emblem, while bamboo is the most widely grown plant there.
Fact 6: The most significant holiday in Vietnam is the Vietnamese New Year, often known as Tet
Lunar New Year has different dates every year, but it usually occurs in late January or early February. Tet Holiday is the finest occasion for family members to return home. Vietnamese people view Tet Holiday as a chance to celebrate life after a long, hard year of labor. As a result, they put aside their hardships and concentrate on making the celebration as joyous as they can.
Fact 7: Vietnam is famous for its breathtaking natural scenery and beaches
One of the fun facts about Vietnam is the beautiful beaches and natural landscapes. To advance the tourism industry and draw more tourists from abroad to experience the country, Vietnam has been implementing lots of policies. Vietnam wants to make itself a more desirable destination by making investments in infrastructure development, raising the quality of services. Additionally, they also carry out promotional activities to increase knowledge of Vietnam’s distinctive features and cultural heritage.
Fact 8: The nation is home to numerous distinct ethnic groups, each of which has its own culture, language, and traditions
There are 54 different ethnic groups in the nation, each with its own distinct language, culture and traditions. The largest ethnic group in numerous locations, including deltas, islands, and cities, is the Kinh Vietnamese. Instead, many ethnic minority groups, including the Thai, Muong, Khmer, live in rural areas such as the Central Highlands, and mountainous regions. Vietnamese people pride themselves on having a rich history and they are also recognized for having kind dispositions.
Fact 9: Vietnam, the second-largest coffee exporter in the world, is well known for its flavorful and robust Vietnamese coffee
Vietnam is the second-largest exporter of coffee in the world, having exported its goods to more than 80 nations and territories. Coffee has an annual turnover of over 3 billion USD and important markets in Europe, the US, Russia, and the UK. Vietnam now has 97 coffee bean processing factories with a 1.5 million tons annual capacity, and 160 coffee roasting facilities. Specially, Vietnamese coffee always leaves a lasting effect on visitors when they arrive in Vietnam.
Fact 10: Vietnam is a spiritual nation with a lot of magnificent temples
Visitors can see and explore several religious structures across the nation, ranging in age. You can gain a special understanding of the customs and culture of Vietnam by visiting one of its pagodas or temples. Pagodas and temples are the two different kinds of Buddhist religious sites in Vietnam. We would Like to mention some famous temples such as: My Son, Bai Dinh, Perfume Pagoda,…
These fun facts about Vietnam are just the beginning of your exploration of this wonderful nation. Let’s stand up and go to Vietnam to mark an unforgettable journey with this beautiful country!
See also: All about Vietnamese wedding costumes